Midlands Merit League

[stew]

;DGood news - the Midalnds Merit League has been confirmed which means we will be having a Nottingham Outlaws II team and they will have as many fixtures as the want. ;D

[tim2]

Great to see you involved. I will be helping to co-ordinate this in conjunction with the RLC.

More details:

About the Midlands League

The purpose of the RLC Midlands Merit League is to provide development matches for existing and newly formed Rugby League clubs in the Midlands. It is intended as a development/feeder league to the Rugby League Summer Conference. The league's first season will commence from April 2006 and applications can be made from January onwards.

Current position

Following a lot of discussion and interest over the last few months I have finally got round to formalising the idea of a Midlands Merit League for 2006. After going round the houses for a month or so I was put in touch with Neil Wood and we have decided that the best way forward is to run this as part of the RLC structure. This simplifies the administration and makes a more obvious route for new clubs who want to give summer rugby a go. Although affiliated with the RLC, the league will operate as a merit league (see details below) using the same points system as the London League. Clubs should ensure that they are registered and insured with Rugby League Services, then just let me know that you intend to participate, give me an official club contact and I will include them in all communications thereafter. Remember - there is no commitment to a formal schedule of matches - it's all up to the clubs to play as many games as they can arrange. Referees can be formally appointed by David Lowe at the RFL, provided he has decent advance warning of your arranged fixtures. I will hopefully be able to cover any last minute problems in this regard. Clearly there are details to be ironed out but I can't see why this shouldn't be a success.

How the League will work

To accommodate everyone's needs, the league will operate a merit system, where teams arrange between themselves to play as many or as few matches as they wish to during the season, on whichever day at whatever time. Saturday, Sunday and midweek games are all possible. The results are collated into a merit table, with extra points awarded for playing matches, and the winners determined by average points. There are no hard and fast rules for the number of players or substitutes used - if you want to play a 9-a-side game that's fine - as long as the clubs agree in advance. Also please remember that this is not Super League - it's a development competition so try not to be in a situation where you rack up 100+ points because you play 13 against 9 or include too many first team players when they have a week off.

Who can join?

The league is primarily aimed at clubs or institutions in the following counties: South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Others may be considered with a limit of around 70 miles radius from Derby.

Scoring System

The scoring system for matches is as follows:

Away Win: 3 points

Away Draw: 2 points

Home Win: 2 points

Home Draw: 1 point

80+ km trip to away game: 1 point

Completion of Home and Away games with opponent: 1 point

Default on game within three days of fixture: -1 point, with 24-0 score-line awarded to opposition

The average number of points scored per game, rather than the total, determines positions in the league table.

If there is sufficient interest, teams completing 4 or more matches can opt to take part in the championship play-offs. Alternatively, or additionally, we may then consider a special end of season challenge match for the winners of the London Merit League.

Teams

The following teams will be taking part, subject to final confirmation:

Sheffield Forgers

Chesterfield Spires

Thorne Moor Marauders ‘A’

Lincoln City Knights ‘A’

Nottingham Outlaws ‘A’

Wolverhampton Wahoos

Telford Raiders ‘A’

Redditch Ravens ‘A’

I would also expect to see Derby ‘A’ on the list as well, but I don't have confirmation there yet. Coventry and Birmingham’s interest will depend on whether they put a second team in the RLC. There are also a couple of other teams who i will name later when they are ready.